Arriva London is proud and delighted to have been awarded the TfL contract to operate route 333 running between Tooting Broadway and Elephant and Castle operating from Brixton bus garage in Streatham Hill.

Driver Nelson

The new contract started on Saturday 21 January 2017, using brand new Enviro400H (hybrid), double decker City buses. To present a seamless transition from the passengers’ perspective, a complex plan had been in place for months leading up to the change.

Driver Gerson

To accommodate the introduction of route 333, sixty new drivers were required and twenty new buses. New Enviros were also being introduced on route 133 so over 150 drivers had to be trained on the new bus type.

333 driver Sharon

Engineering staff across the business also needed familiarisation training with the new buses at Brixton, and with New Routemasters (NRMs) used on route 137 moving to Norwood garage at the same.

The 10.4m, City bus, is capable of carrying ninety passengers and is the continuation of the introduction of environmentally friendly buses in London, representing a further evolution of hybrid electric buses, giving greater fuel economy and reduced emissions.

Driver Osman

Although the Enviro400H City has some similar lines to the New Routemaster, it has also some distinctive styling of its own, particularly on the upper deck, with the panoramic window at the rear offering an excellent view for passengers.

333 driver Linda

To hear what our drivers think about the route and new buses, we spoke to several of them; driver Osman said:-

“The buses are really nice to drive, from the driver’s point of view and very comfortable for the passengers. It’s a pleasure to drive them”

Driver Linda commented:-

“The new buses are lovely, very smooth, very clean. Customers do make a lot of comments when they get on ‘Ah lovely new bus”.

Brixton Operating Manager Nicole

Nicole, the Brixton Operating manager pointed out:-

“Another operator had the route on the Friday, and on Saturday Arriva London took it over, the general public may see no difference, it was a seamless event, but we hope they notice the new buses!”

If you use the 333 and would like to comment about the new buses, we would be pleased to hear from you. If however you would like to drive for us and start a new career, then please visit our careers page.

One of the most important elements in Arriva London’s development is the training and education it offers its staff, from engineering apprentices to graduate trainees, everyone in the business is offered the opportunity to develop and flourish.

The introduction of all new Hybrid vehicles on route 249, which Arriva London starts operating this Saturday, underlines one of our key brand values - ‘Great customer experience - We keep our customers happy every day’.